מלכים א, פרק ז׳, פסוק מ״ח

After detailing the heavy copper items crafted for the outdoor courtyard, the focus shifts inward to the delicate golden vessels placed inside the Sanctuary. While the outdoor items were crafted by others, the creation of these inner golden vessels is attributed directly to King Solomon. He was the one who commanded the Israelite artisans, personally supervised the pouring of the gold, and drafted their blueprints [אברבנאל]. These items belonged exclusively to the interior of God's house [מצודת דוד, רלב״ג, ביאור שטיינזלץ] and were designed for the internal service rather than the external animal sacrifices [מלבי״ם].

The first of these inner items is the golden altar, specifically the incense altar that stood inside the Sanctuary [רלב״ג]. Alongside it was the table for the showbread. Although referred to as a single table, historical records indicate that Solomon actually made ten golden tables for the Temple. The primary approach among commentators is that the singular term acts as a collective noun representing the entire group of tables [רד״ק, מצודת דוד, אברבנאל]. Alternatively, the singular form highlights the primary table required by the Commandment [מלבי״ם], or points back to the original divine instruction given to Moses to construct a table [אברבנאל]. Regardless of the exact number referenced, these tables were heavily plated with gold [מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

These ten golden tables were dedicated exclusively to holding the showbread, distinct from the stone tables out in the courtyard used for resting slaughtering tools [אברבנאל]. According to the original Commandment, the table must sit in the northern section of the Sanctuary. Therefore, the ten tables were arranged in two rows on the northern side, with one row to the right of the other [רלב״ג, אברבנאל]. Specifically, five tables were placed to the right of Moses's original table, and five to its left [אברבנאל].

There is a discussion regarding how these tables were actually used in practice. Some opinions suggest the showbread was only placed on Moses's original table. However, others argue that the bread was arranged on all ten of Solomon's tables, an approach that fits the narrative more naturally [מלבי״ם, אברבנאל]. In addition to the tables inside the Sanctuary, a separate golden table stood in the entrance hall. This extra table served a transitional purpose, holding the old showbread as it was being removed from the holy area [אברבנאל].